Friday, January 27, 2006

phractured philosophers

Republic, Book I, part 1

Socrates and friends are persuaded not to go back to Athens by Polemarchus on promise of food and a trip to the races. Being a group of carefree bachelors, they accept. On entering Polemarchus's house, Socrates asks Polemarchus's father, Cephalus, what it's like to be really really old. Following Cephalus's gracious reply, Socrates inquires into his financial history. [etiquette then just wasn't what it is now] Following another gracious reply, Socrates opens a debate on justice. Cephalus excuses himself and leaves Polemarchus to deal with Socrates. Socrates proceeds to dissect everything that comes out of Polemarchus's mouth until an observer, Thrasymachus, who has until this point been restrained by the other guests, can't take it anymore and gives Socrates and earfull. [I say "you tell him, Thrasymachus!"]

Spoiler: Thrasymachus loses, as the Socratic method seems to have eclipsed the Thrasymachic method [loosely interpreted: "just spit it out!"], but I haven't read that far yet.

(Thanks to the Rocky & Bullwinkle folks for the inspiration.)

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